Shiv Sena opposes move to pardon Sanjay Dutt

Amid the growing clamour for considering a pardon for convicted Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, the Shiv Sena Monday opposed the move on the grounds that it would send "a wrong message" to society.

Speaking in the Legislative Council during a debate on Law and Order scenario in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe said, "There should not be a rethink on the Supreme Court's judgement. It will send a wrong message to the society if Dutt is pardoned."

The Supreme Court, had on March 19, upheld his conviction under Arms Act for illegally possessing prohibited weapons including an AK-56 rifle and sentenced him to five years of imprisonment.

Sanjay Dutt. File Pic

"Leaders from various political parties have demanded that he should be pardoned. But if leniency is shown to Dutt, it would amount to providing political cover to the convicts in this case," she added.

Incidentally, the then Congress MP Sunil Dutt and father of Sanjay, had turned up to Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray to ensure that his actor son got some relief after he was arrested and jailed under the stringent Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act also known as TADA for possessing illegal weapons.

Various film personalities and politicians have stated that the Maharashtra government could make a request to the state governor to pardon Sanjay Dutt. As per the provisions of the law, the governor has powers to pardon a convict or reduce his punishment.